Micronesian Pearls

[Nerida]

A quick postscript - whilst they are not desired by the pearl farmers, there are MANY pearl enthusiasts who love circled/ringed pearls...

 

[Ragnorak]

it seems there are some real possibilities in Micronesia

I think there maybe be some real possibilities.

just an investor or two away from fruition.

I really didn't mean to potray it in this light. There are major issues to be over come. A reliable labour force for one. This to me is the most important issue. Malfeasance is another. As well as logistics. And being able to find someone (local or otherwise) who can properly manage a farm.

Ragnorak, you give the impression of being on the scene

The last time I was in Pohnpei was in 2002. But I do hear things.

your enthusiasm is outshining all attempts at skepticism

I am enthusiastic because I'd like to work out there some day. But I heard that they were looking at starting commercial production in 2004. That's obviously changed.

I'd like to stress that there is a very good chance that any investor will loose out in Micronesia.

I am also interested in if/where/how possible investors are being sought?

At this stage I'm not sure what the process is but I could find out. Though this will take a couple of weeks.

As a guesstimate I'd say you'd want about $US100,000 plus in cash reserves. Not that you'd put all that in at once but be in partnership with a local investor.

You be looking at say 18, 22 or 24 months to the first harvest. Whether or not this is accurate remains to be seen. It's only my guess.

whilst they are not desired by the pearl farmers, there are MANY pearl enthusiasts who love circled/ringed pearls...

Unfortunately circles don't currently translate to good prices so...

 

[MistofCassiopeia]

They are quite lovely...

They are quite lovely...

sigh...something else to add to my ever-expanding list

 

[pearlescence]

Some price is better than no price at all

 

[Ragnorak]

Some price is better than no price at all

Which is true. But then again money's money. The more the better, especially if it means the farm doesn't lose money. Sorry to be so crass.

This next bit isn't directed at anyone, it just shows my personal bias.

Don't get me wrong, I do think there are some nice colours in Micronesia but over all I wasn't too impressed.

But I happened to have cut my teeth, so to speak, harvesting and seeding black lips on Manihi in the Tuamotus. So I have my own ideas on what constitues good colours on a black pearl.

I'm happy to hear people think differently.

Anyway back to the new farm in Micronesia.

As far as I hear the longlines aren't even in the water so there's still a long way to go. I assume, from what I've heard, that after setup there'll be some time before the shell are ready to be seeded. Letting them settle and grow out some more.

At this stage it appears the first round of seeding will being towards the end of 2011. Given that all goes according to plan.

This group seems to have their heads screwed on properly so perhaps the issues that have dogged Nukuoro won't surface.

 

[SteveM]

I'm happy to hear people think differently.

There is no consensus here other than regarding the attractiveness of the pearls produced by the Land Grant program as published in Pearl World, as well as the additional images you have posted. The premise of this thread as expressed in Post #1 is the opportunity Micronesia may have to learn from the experience of others (Cook Islands) in its fledgling attempt to produce black pearls out from under the Tahitian umbrella. The odds do seem long.

 

[Ragnorak]

There is no consensus here other than regarding the attractiveness of the pearls produced by the Land Grant program

That's what I was referring to .

I saw this piece of video some time ago and have managed to track down a copy on the web.

Pacific Land-Grant Institutions